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AIAYU Summary In order to create a close relationship to its customers, stores shouldn’t underes- timate the importance of the brands that the store carries; authentic quality brands with great, trustworthy stories that can be passed on to customers. That’s the philoso- phy behind AIAYU – a Danish brand that combines fashion with sustainability – and has done so years before it became fashion- able. AIAYU was established 12 years ago and started out as a part of a Danida pro- ject in Bolivia in which local women made hand-knitted products from wool from lo- cal llamas. - When consumers buy our products, for ex- ample our hand-knitted toilet purse signed with the knitter’s initials, the product be- comes very personal. It becomes clear to the consumers that there’s a person be- hind the product. The end consumer from the western world gets a personal item for Artikel | article her home, an accessory or a piece of cloth- tified factory, which guarantees proper traditions and contributed to a better econ- factory complies with 12 principles related ing while feeling great about having done a good deed. She has helped support old craft omy in the local communities. Consumers become more attached to products like that as opposed to traditional off-the-shelf items and fast fashion. We like that idea, says partner and CEO Maria Møgelberg Glæsel, who joined AIAYU in 2011. The products are divided into three lines; Fashion, Home and Loungewear. - In terms of age, we have a relatively wide appeal. We are more focused on lifestyle and a beautiful, timeless look that really defines AIAYU. We always focus on the aes- thetic, on comfort, quality and design that lasts and usually carries an extra function- ality or a special, creative detail, says Maria Møgelberg Glæsel. All of AIAYU’s cotton products are GOTS- certified and produced on a SA8000-cer- 84 | ISSUE NO 01 JAN./FEB. 2018 | MODEBRANCHEN. working conditions. In Bolivia, the factory is WRAP certified, which ensures that the to working conditions as well. In addition, AIAYU is a member of Global Compact. - AIAYU also produces design that com- petes with other aesthetic fashion and home fashion products in the market. But AIAYU is more than that. It’s something ex- tra. And you can buy AIAYU products with a clear conscience. And when you do that, you automatically appreciate the products you buy even more, Maria Møgelberg Glæ- sel concludes. The Autumn 2018 collection is available to see by appointment in AIAYU’s showroom on Dampfærgevej 2, Copenhagen Ø, while Summer 2018 is presented in the store on St. Strandstræde 12, Copenhagen K.